Cable anchor



Oct. 2, 1962 Filed OO.. 2l, 1957 F. L. G|LLETT 3,056,287

CABLE ANCHOR 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 2, 1962 F. l.. GILLETT 3,056,287

CABLE ANCHOR Filed Oct. 2l, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 65 5 G5 /63 6'/ 1 w62 20 64 *-I 28 INVENTOR.

BY ww #77E/@NEWS Unie Patented Get. 2, 1952 flee 3,956,237 CABLE ANCI-IGR Frank L. Gillett, Sherman ais, Calif., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Armee Steei Corporation, Middletown, iiio, a corporation of hio Filed Get. 21, 1957, Ser. No. 691,184 11 Claims. (Cl. 731-443) This invention relates to apparatus for securing a cable at a location between its ends and for providing a measure of the tension load on the cable. Devices of this type are employed in connection with the drilling of wells; the cable passes from the drawworks drum through the hoisting blocks and is anchored by such a device near the derrick door. The anchor device includes apparatus for measuring the tension in the cable. A device of this general type is shown in the Spalding Patent 2,488,070, granted November 15, 1949.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved cable anchor device of this type, the device including a snubbing drum which is rotatably mounted to facilitate transfer movement of the cable into the receiving system when desired, together with novel means for securing the drum against rotation and for measuring the torque load thereon. Another object is to provide a cable anchor device of this type in which the snubbing surface of the drum is tapered to cause the cable to travel axially thereon as the drum rotates. Another object is to provide a cable anchor device of this type having cable clamp means mounted on a torque arm, together with means for applying a friction drag force to the cable as it passes through the clamp means and around the drum during the operation of feeding cable into the reeving system. Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation showing a preferred embodiment of my invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 2 2 as shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 4 4 as shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the lines 5-5 as shown in FIGURE 3.

Referring to the drawings, the base 1t) is provided with a footing portion 11 having apertures 12 to receive anchor bolts 13. The base is also provided with an upright portion 14 having a bore 15 to receive a stationary pintle or stub shaft 16. A snubbing drum 17 is rotatably mounted upon this stub shaft 16 by means of axially spaced bearings 18 and 19. The bearings are received within the hub 20 of the drum 17.

The outer periphery of the drum 17 is provided with a pair of axially spaced radial flanges 21 and 22 and an inclined or tapered snubbing surface 23 extending between the flanges.

A load carrying member generally designated 24 includes a ring 25 rotatably mounted on the drum hub 20 by means of anti-friction bushings 26 and 27. The load carrying member 24 also includes the laterally extending torque arm 28 which is formed integrally on the ring 25. The torque arm 28 carries a releasable cable clamp device generally designated 29 which is aligned tangentially with the snubbing surface 23 at the large end of the taper. The cable 30 extends from the storage reel 31 through the clamp device 29 and passes around the snubbing surface 23 in a plurality of loops. The active portion 32 of the cable 34) extends upward to the hoisting blocks (not shown).

A hydraulic pressure capsule is interposed between a torque arm 28 and the lug 33 on the base y1t). This pressure capsule generally designated 34 includes a pair of relatively movable plates or disks 35 and 36 defining a uid pressure chamber 37 between them. A exible sealing member 28 prevents leakage between the parts 35 and 36. The upper plate 35 is connected by means of bolts 39 to the frame 40 which is pivoted at 41 to the lug 33 on the base 1t). Similarly the lower plate 36 is connected by means of bolts 42 to the cover 43 which is connected to the torque arm 28 by means of the pivot pin 44. From this description it will be understood that when an upward force is applied by the pin 44 to the cover 43, the fluid body within the chamber 37 is pressurized in proportion to the magnitude of the force exerted. Suitable piping connections 45, 46 and 47 connect the interior of the uid chamber 37 to the pipe 4S. This pipe 48 communicates with the pressure gauge 49 which may be calibrated to indicate tension in the cable.

Means are provided for connecting the load carrying member 24 to turn as a unit with the drum 17 on the axis of the stub shaft 16. As shown in the drawings, this means includes the axially movable pin 51 which extends through aligned apertures 52 and 53 provided in the drum 17 and load carrying member 24 respectively. The pin may be shouldered as shown at 54 and provided with a handle 55. A retaining cotter pin 56 prevents accidental withdrawal. When the pin 51 is in the operative position shown in FIGURE 5 the ring 25 and torque arm 2S are connected as a unit to the drum 17. When the pin 51 is withdrawn from the aligned apertures 52 and 53, the drum 17 is free to rotate on the bearings 18 and 19.

The clamp device 29 includes jaw 60 fixed on the torque arm 2S and jaw 61 mounted on the movable carrier 62. This carrier 62 is provided with apertures 63 which receive a plurality of parallel studs 64. The upper ends of the studs are threaded to receive clamping nuts 65. The carrier 62 slides on the parallel studs 64 and the extent of movement is limited by the position of the nuts 65. When the nuts 65 are tightened down, the cable 3i) is clamped against movement between the jaws 60 and 6l.

Integral upstanding lugs 70 are provided on the torque arm 2S and a cross pin 71 mounted in these lugs supports brake arm 72 and brake lever 73. When a downward force is applied to the lever 73 the brake arm 72 is caused to swing about the pivot pin 71 and cause the nose portion 74 to exert a clamping force on the carrier 62.

In operation, several loops of the cable 30 are spooled on the snubbing surface 23 of the drum 22. The active portion 32 of the cable extends upward to the hoisting blocks (not shown). A portion of the cable is received between the clamping jaws 6G and 61. When it is desired to pass additional cable into the reeving system to replace worn cable cut from the end spooled on the drawworks spooling drum, the torque transmitting connecting pin 51 is withdrawn from the aligned apertures 52 and 53. The drum 17 is then free to turn on the bearings 18 and 19. The nuts 65 are loosened to permit the cable 30 to slide between the gripping jaws 60 and 61. The brake lever 73 is employed to exert pressure against the carrier 62 and thus supply a friction drag to the cable 30 as it passes between the jaws 611 and 61. When the desired footage of additional cable has been passed into the reeving system, the connecting pin 51 is reinserted into the apertures 52 and 53 and the nuts 65 are tightened on the threaded studs 64 to clamp the cable 30 against movement relative to the jaws 60 and 61. Tension in the active portion 32 of the cable 3i) then causes the torque arm 2S to apply a load to the hydraulic pressure capsule 34 and thereby pressurize uid within the chamber 37 to an extent proportional to the torque load on the drum 17. The tension load on the 3,05 ege? cable is then accurately shown by the reading of the pressure gauge 49.

The usual reservoir 75, pump 76, check valve 77 may be employed for maintaining a proper supply of duid within the chamber 37 and for piping it to the pressure gauge 49.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that l do not wish to be limited to the details set forth herein, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

l claim:

1. In a cable anchor device, the combination of: a base, a drum rotatably mounted on the base and having a snubbing surface adapted to receive a plurality of loops of cable, a load-carrying member turnably mounted coaXially of the drum, releasable means for connecting said load-carrying member to move as a unit with said drum, relatively movable clamp jaws tangentially aligned with said snubbing surface, one of the jaws being fixed relative to said load-carrying member, means engaging the other jaw for clamping a portion of the cable between said jaws against movement, and load measuring means operatively interposed between said load-carrying member and said base and having a part subjected to force proportional to the torque load on said drum.

2. ln a cable anchor device, the combination of: a base, a drum rotatably mounted on the base and having a tapered snubbing surface adapted to receive a plurality of loops of cable, a load-carrying member turnably mounted coaxially of the drum, releasable means for connecting said load-carrying member to move as a unit with said drum, relatively movable clamp jaws tangentially aligned with said snubbing surface at the large end of the taper, one of the jaws being fixed relative to said load-carrying member, means engaging the other jaw for clamping a portion of the cable between said jaws against movement, and load measuring means operatively interposed between said load-carrying member and said base and having a part subjected to force proportional to the torque load on said drum.

3. In a cable anchor device, the combination of: a base, a drum rotatably mounted on the base and having a snubbing surface adapted to receive a plurality of loops of cable, a load-carrying member turnably mounted coaXially of the drum, releasable means for connecting said load-carrying member to turn as a unit with said drum, relatively movable clamp jaws tangentially aligned with said snubbing surface, one of the jaws being Xed relative to said load-carrying member, means engaging the other jaw for clamping a portion of the cable between said jaws against movement, and a hydraulic pressure capsule operatively interposed between said load-carrying member and said base and having an internal uid body subjected to pressure proportional to the torque load on said drum.

4. In a cable anchor device, the combination of: a base, a drum rotatably mounted on the base and having a tapered snubbing surface adapted to receive a plurality of loops of cable, a ring turnably mounted upon the drum coaxially thereof and having a torque arm thereon, means including a removable pin for selectively connecting said ring to turn as a unit with said drum, relatively movable clamp jaws tangentially aligned with said snubbing surface at the large end of the taper, one of the jaws being xed relative to said torque arm, means engaging the other jaw for clamping a portion of the cable between said jaws against movement, and a hydraulic pressure capsule having a first part connected to the base and a second part connected to said torque arm, said first and second parts defining between them an internal fluid body subjected to pressure proportional to the torque load on said drum.

5. In a cable anchor device, the combination of: a base, a drum rotatably mounted on the base and having a snubbing surface adapted to receive a plurality of loops of cable, a load-carrying member turnably mounted coaxially of the drum, releasable means for connecting said load-carrying member to move as a unit with said drum, relatively movable clamp jaws tangentially aligned with said snubbing surface, one of the jaws being fixed relative to said load-carrying member, means engaging the other jaw for clamping a portion of the cable between said jaws, said means including brake means operable upon release of said connecting means to apply a friction drag to the cable as it moves onto the rotating drum, and load measuring means operatively interposed between said load-carrying member and said base.

6. In a cable anchor device, the combination of: a base, a drum rotatably mounted on the base and having a tapered snubbing surface adapted to receive a plurality of loops of cable, a load-carrying member turnably mounted coaxially of the drum, releasable means for connecting said load-carrying member to move as a unit with said drum, relatively movable clamp jaws tangentially aligned with said snubbing surface at the large end of the taper, one of the jaws being fixed relative to said load-carrying member, means engaging the other jaw for clamping a portion of the cable between said jaws. said means including a brake lever operable upon release of said connecting means to apply a friction drag to the cable as it moves onto the rotating drum, and a hydraulic pressure capsule operatively interposed between said loadcarrying member and said base.

7. In a cable anchor device, the combination of: a base, a drum rotatably mounted on the base and having a snubbing surface adapted to receive a plurality of loops of cable, a ring turnably mounted upon the drum coaXially thereof and having a torque arm, releasable means including a retractable pin for connecting said ring to turn as a unit with said drum, relatively movable clamp jaws tangentially aligned with said snubbing surface, one of the jaws being fixed relative to said torque arm, means engaging the other jaw for clamping a portion of the cable between said jaws, said means including a brake lever operable upon release of said retractable pin to apply a friction drag to the cable as it moves onto the rotating drum, and a hydraulic pressure capsule operaf tively interposed between said load-carrying member and said base and having an internal Huid body subjected to pressure proportional to the torque load on said drum, when said pin is engaged.

8. ln a cable anchor device of the type described, the combination of: a base, a drum rotatably mounted on the base and having a snubbing surface adapted to receive a plurality of loops of cable, a load-carrying member turnably mounted coaXially of the drum, releasable means for connecting said load-carrying member to move as a unit with said drum, clamp means on the load-carrying member to clamp the cable, brake means on the loadcarrying member operable upon disengagement of said clamp means to apply a friction drag to the cable as it moves onto the rotating drum, and load measuring means interposed between said load-carrying member and said base confining a fluid body under pressure proportional to the torque load applied by the cable to the drum.

9. In a cable anchor device of the type described, the combination of: a base, a drum rotatably mounted on the base and having a snubbing surface adapted to receive a plurality of loops of cable, a load-carrying member turnably mounted coaxially of the drum, releasable means for connecting said load-carrying member to move as a unit with said drum, clamp means on the loadcarrying member to clamp the cable, brake means including a lever pivotally mounted on the load-carrying member and operable upon disengagement of said clamp means to apply a friction drag to the cable as it moves onto the rotating drum, and a hydraulic pressure capsule interposed between said load-carrying member and said base and acting to limit relative movement therebetween,

said ,capsule containing a fluid body subjected to a pressure proportional to the torque load applied by the cable to the drum.

10. In `a cable anchor device of the type described, the combination of: a base, a drum element having a snubbing surface adapted to receive Ia loop of cable, a torque arm element, means rotatably supporting the said elements on said base for independent co-aXial turning movement, releasable means for engaging said elements in non-rotative relation with respect to each other, clamp means positioned tangentially of the snubbing surface of said drum element on said torque arm element to clamp the cable, brake means operable upon disengagement of said releasable means and said clamp means to apply a friction drag to the cable as it moves onto the rotating drum, and force measuring means interposed between the base and the torque arm element to measure the pull on the cableI when the two elements are engaged as a unit and the cable is clamped by said clamp means.

11. In -a cable anchor device of the type described, the combination of: a base, a drum element having a snubbing surface adapted to receive a loop of cable, a torque arm element, means rotatably supporting the said elements on said base for independent co-axial turning movement, releasable means for engaging said elements in non-rotative relation with respect to each other, clamp means positioned tangentially of the snubbing drum surface on said torque arm element to clamp said cable, brake means including a lever operable upon disengagement of said releasable means and said clamp means to apply a friction drag to the cable as it moves onto the rot-ating drum, and force measuring means interposed between the base and the torque arm element to measure the pull on the cable when the two elements are engaged as a unit and the cable clamped by said clamp means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 24,092 Decker Nov. 22, 1955 2,488,070 Spalding Nov. 15, 1949 2,807,957 Decker Oct. 1, 1957 

